Kids! Dig Into Reading This Summer

Dig into Reading, this year’s Summer Reading Program theme, is a flexible game designed for preschoolers through 6th graders. It combines reading and activity suggestions, along with three prize levels to provide extra motivation. Children who finish Dig into Reading win a t-shirt and get entered into a grand prize drawing for a Kindle Fire!

Participating in the Summer Reading Program is an excellent way to help your elementary school child practice reading skills over the summer and prevent the “summer slide,” or the loss of skills over summer break. Kids can also exercise their minds by participating in the Library’s extensive summer programming. This year’s highlights include a mini museum of dinosaur fossils, balloon art, a real, live giant Burmese python, and a whole block of activities exclusively for tweens!

The Dinosaur Lady (aka Carolyn Richard, paleontologist) is back with her full-scale T-Rex head, dino models, fossils, mini-museum, and the scoop on the latest fossil finds.

When: Thursday, June 20 from 2-3:00 p.m.

Where: Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Reptile Wrangling with Torben Platt

Join the critter wizard from Witty Kitties as he grapples with alligator Lex Luther, who is even bigger than last year, and a giant Burmese python.

When: Thursday, June 27 from 2-3:00 p.m.

Where: Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Mad Science with the Hawk-Eyes on Science

The zany scientists from the University of Iowa Department of Physics and Astronomy return with knock-your-socks-off experiments featuring lasers, electricity, and 3D wonders. There will be explosions!

When: Thursday, July 11 from 2-3:00 p.m.

Where: Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Night at the Museum Party

It’s spine-tingling fun with Sarah Horgen of the Museum of Natural History clues us in on the science of archaeology.

When: Thursday, July 18 from 2-3:00 p.m.

Where: Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Creations with a Twist

Balloon master Daniel Poe delights with his awesome balloon art. Audience members dress up in balloon costumes and act out funny stories as part of the “Dig Up a Good Book” show.

When: Thursday, July 25 from 2-3:00 p.m.

Where: Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Wii Gaming for School-age Children

Elementary kids can join us for some Wii gaming.

When: Wednesdays from 2-4:00 p.m. through July 31

Where: Storytime Room

Children’s R.E.A.D. Times with Therapy Dogs of Johnson County

School-age readers are welcome to come read aloud to trained therapy dogs for fifteen minutes on a first come, first serve basis. Sign up, read, and win a prize book. Sponsored by the Therapy Dogs of Johnson County.

Local picture book illustrators Claudia McGehee and Jennifer Black Reinhardt will discuss their artwork and give tweens the chance to practice their own drawing skills. Materials provided.

When: Monday, July 15 from 2-3:00 p.m.

Where: Meeting Room A

Yoga for Tweens

Dana Robinson from Sweet Feet Yoga will lead a yoga class designed specifically for tweens. Kids should come in comfortable clothing suitable for movement and exercise.

When: Monday, July 22 from 2-3:00 p.m.

Where: Meeting Room A

For the Whole Family

Family Special: MusicIC

From stories to music, hear Goodnight Moon, Pecos Bill, and Ferdinand the Bull in a whole new way with musical renditions by MusicIC.

When: Sunday, June 16 from 2-3:00 p.m.

Where: Meeting Room A, Meeting Room, B, Meeting Room C

Family Movie Screening: Despicable Me

Gru and the gang are back in theaters on July third with the premiere of Despicable Me 2. Come watch where it all began! The film is rated PG.

When: Saturday, June 29 from 1-3: p.m.

Where: Meeting Room A

Family Special: MADCAP Puppets present “The Cinderella Files”

MADCAP Puppets of Cincinnati present the hilarious fractured fairy tale of what would happen if Cinderella’s fairy godmother went on vacation. The giant puppets encourage plenty of audience participation when it falls to the Godmother’s husband Ralph to get Cinderella to the ball.

When: Saturday, July 13 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Where: Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Storytimes

Book Babies

Rhymes, fingerplays, songs, and short stories designed to stimulate your infant’s language development. For babies 6 months to 18 months old. We ask that there be a lap for every baby.

When: Fridays from 10:30-11:00 a.m. through August 30 & Fridays from 1:30-2:00 p.m. through August 30.

A preschool-age program where longer stories and picture books are combined with fingerplays, songs, and action rhymes. Recommended for children who are three-years-old and up.

When: Wednesdays from 10:30-11:00 a.m. through July 24

Where: Willow Creek Park (West Benton Street and Teg Drive)

Stories in the Park at Mercer

A preschool-age program where longer stories and picture books are combined with fingerplays, songs, and action rhymes. Recommended for children who are three-years-old and up.

When: Fridays from 10:30-11:00 a.m. through July 26

Where: Mercer Park (Near the Mercer Park Aquatic Center)

Sensory Storytime

Designed for children with autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration issues, or other developmental disabilities, along with their friends or siblings. These storyimes include tactile books, songs, stories, and activities that will provide opportunity for hands-on participation. A caretaker must accompany each child with special needs.

When: First Saturday of every month from 1:30-2:00 p.m.

Where: Storytime Room

Family Storytime

Designed for the whole family, Storytime includes both shorter and longer stories combined with action games and activities. Recommended for all ages. Parents are asked to sit with younger children.

When: Saturdays from 10:30-11:00 a.m. through August 31 (excluding July 13) & Sundays from 2-2:00 p.m. (excluding July 7)

Where: Storytime Room

Toddler Storytime

Designed for toddlers or young preschoolers. The same program is performed Mondays and Tuesdays each week. Ideal for young children with short attention spans who need short stories, fingerplays, and action rhymes.